CLECAT calls for a realistic approach on the Future Economic Partnership between the EU and UK

Today, CLECAT, the European Association of Logistics Service Providers, Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers, issued its position paper on the future economic partnership between the EU and UK.

Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT, said: “We have carefully reviewed the Facilitated Customs Arrangement (FCA) as proposed by the UK and can only conclude that whereas the concept might be worth further exploring, it needs more detail and therefore more time. The proposed FCA leaves so many questions unanswered, that we fear that it will not be possible to apply it in practice by the end of the transitional period and, most importantly, it increases the chance of a worst-case scenario; a no-deal situation.

Dominique Willems, Senior Manager at CLECAT, said: “Modern Customs legislation and technology provides for numerous simplifications and facilitations through which goods can move across borders unhindered. All the procedures, systems and legislation are already in place to handle huge volumes of goods coming from for example China or the US. Preparing for an economic partnership between the EU and UK with which trade is already familiar, would still be quite a challenge in terms of capacity, but at least we could start preparing for such a situation today. Exploration for further simplification is still very much appreciated, but it requires a more stable environment, clarity and time.

CLECAT urges the negotiators of both sides to prevent a no-deal situation at all cost and to find a solution for the withdrawal agreement and consensus over the future relationship in order to avoid disruption of trade.